Private TB Blood Test at MUMS

TB is a bacterial infection which affects the lungs and can also affect the nervous system. This test establishes if someone has had exposure to the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria. It is particularly important for healthcare workers who may be exposed to TB through their patients. A negative test proves that you do not have TB, whilst the presence of a TB immunisation scar proves that you have been immunised.

The QuantiFERON-TB blood test is a modern, highly accurate blood test used to screen for both latent and active tuberculosis (TB) infection. It detects the immune system's response to the TB bacteria by measuring interferon-gamma in the blood. 

Key Features and Advantages

Accuracy: It is generally more accurate than the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST or Mantoux) and is less likely to produce false-positive results in people who have received the BCG vaccination.

Single Visit: Unlike the TST, which requires a follow-up visit to read the results, the QuantiFERON test requires only one blood draw appointment.

Unaffected by BCG Vaccine: The antigens used in the test are specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and are absent in all BCG strains, which is a major advantage for testing individuals who have been vaccinated.

Detection of Latent TB: The test is particularly useful for identifying individuals with latent TB infection (where the bacteria are in the body but not causing symptoms), allowing for preventive treatment to stop it from developing into active, transmissible TB disease. 

The test results are typically reported as negative, positive, or indeterminate. 

Negative Result: This indicates that TB infection is unlikely.

Positive Result: This suggests the individual has been exposed to and infected by the TB bacteria. It does not, however, distinguish between latent and active TB. Further clinical evaluations, such as a chest X-ray and a medical history review, are required to determine if the infection is active or latent.

Indeterminate Result: This means the test could not provide a definitive result, possibly due to a weakened immune system (e.g., in immunocompromised patients) or issues with the blood sample processing. A retest or an alternative test (like the T-SPOT.TB test) may be necessary. 

For more information – call us on 0121 704 2669